System for concurrent optimization of business economics and customer value

• US 8,140,399 B1
• Filed: 10/31/2007
• Issued: 03/20/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 10/24/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Tenon & Groove LLC
• Original Assignee: Tenon & Groove LLC
• Inventors: Goel, Sachin
• Primary Examiner(s): Allen, Will
• Application Number:
  US11/981,812
• Time in Patent Office: 1,602 Days
• Field of Search: 705 5- 6, 705 26- 27, 705 261- 272
• US Class Current: 705/26.1
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/02 Reservations, e.g. for tickets, services or events
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/025 Coordination of plural reservations, e.g. plural trip segments, transportation combined with accommodation
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0601 Electronic shopping [e-shopping]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0617 Representative agent
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0619 Neutral agent
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0621 Item configuration or customization
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0641 Shopping interfaces

Abstract

A computer-implemented system and method to provide options on products to enhance customers'"'"' experience. A computer-implemented service is operated that delivers to a customer an option to utilize up to n of m selected products, where n is less than or equal to m. Information is recorded in a data store, pertaining to said option. In addition, a system is operated to define each of the n Chosen Products, whereby after each of the n Chosen Products is defined, the customer can utilize said Chosen Product. The information pertaining to said defined products is recorded in a data store. A computer-implemented system and method to award two or more confirmed products to a customer, where in said customer is allowed to utilize fewer than the awarded products.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method to provide options on products, comprising:

a. operating a data processor adapted by stored program instructions to receive at least one input in response to which a customer receives an option to utilize up to n of m products selected at the time the option is received, where,

(1) m and n are integers,

(2) m is greater than or equal to 2, and

(3) n is less than m;

b. recording information defining said option in a computer readable data store;

c. at some time after acts a and b, and after said n products have been selected by the customer, operating a data processor adapted by stored program instructions to receive at least one input comprising one or more related transactions according to which the customer is allowed to utilize one or more previously unutilized ones of the m-n unselected products provided any specified conditions are satisfied and there is at least one additional payment transaction related to utilization of the one or more of said m-n products; and

d. recording in a computer-readable data store information defining a selection of ones of the m-n products for utilization.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the data processor of act a and the data processor of act c are a same processor.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the data stores of acts b and d are a same data store.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein said customer selects at least one of the m-n products prior to utilizing all but one of the n products.

5. The method of claim 1 further including an act of the company reserving the right to limit the customer to n products on a stated notification date.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein said customer can select any of said m-n products together.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein selection of said n products may be modified prior to their utilization, in one or more further transactions.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the at least one payment transaction comprises one more transactions distinct from act a.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein at least one of said payment transactions is executed between the customer and an entity other than the company.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein the m-n products are from more than one company.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein the company is not the seller of the n products.

12. The method of claim 1 wherein the utilization of one or more products in addition to the n products occurs only after fulfillment of specified conditions as defined by the company.

13. The method of claim 1 wherein one or more of the m-n products that may be selected is or are permitted to be utilized only after fulfillment of specified conditions as defined by the customer.

14. The method of claim 1 wherein one or more products of the m-n products that may be selected is or are permitted to be utilized only after fulfillment of specified conditions as defined by an entity other than said company and said customer.

21. The method of claim 1 wherein said m-n products include at least one higher ranked product.

22. The method of claim 21 wherein operating a data processor to receive at least one input comprising one or more related transactions further comprises requiring the customer to indicate a price the customer will pay for utilizing the higher ranked product.

23. The method of claim 22 wherein requiring the customer to indicate a price comprises permitting the customer to modify the customer'"'"'s indication of the price before an indicated notification date.

24. The method of claim 1 further comprising pricing the amount for the additional payment transaction dynamically.

25. The method of claim 23, wherein the amount for the additional payment transaction is determined by bidding from customers.

26. The method of claim 1 wherein operating a data processor to receive at least one input comprising one or more related transactions further comprises requiring that as part of said input the customer indicates the price the customer will pay for utilization of at least one of said m-n products.

27. The method of claim 25 wherein the customer may modify input of the price the customer will pay for utilization of at least one of said m-n products before an indicated notification date.

28. The method of claim 1 wherein said m-n products include at least one practically constrained product.

29. The method of claim 28, wherein said at least one of the practically constrained product cannot be utilized fully.

15. A computer-implemented system to provide options on products, comprising:

a. a data processor adapted by stored program instructions to receive at least one input in response to which a customer receives an option to utilize up to n of m products selected at the time the option is received, where

1. m and n are integers,

2. m is greater than or equal to 2, and

3. n is less than m;

b. a data processor adapted by stored program instructions to record information defining said option in a computer readable data store;

c. a data processor adapted by stored program instructions to receive at least one input comprising one or more related transactions according to which the customer, pursuant to a right granted by a company, utilizes one or more of the m-n unselected products not selected among the n selected products, in accordance with at least one payment transaction between the company and the customer related to utilization of the one or more m-n products; and

d. a data processor adapted by stored program instructions to record in a computer readable data store information defining a selection of ones of said m-n products for utilization.

16. The system of claim 15 wherein at least two of the data processors are a same processor.

17. The system of claim 15 wherein both said data store are a same data store.

18. A computer-implemented method to provide options on flights, comprising:

a. operating a data processor adapted by stored program instructions to receive at least one input in response to which a customer receives an option to utilize up to n of m flights selected at the time the option is received, where,

a. m and n are integers,

b. m is greater than or equal to 2, and

c. n is less than m;

b. recording information defining said option in a computer readable data store;

c. at some time after acts a and b, and after said n flights have been selected by the customer, operating a data processor to receive at least one input comprising one or more related transactions according to which an airline allows the customer to utilize one or more of the m-n flights not selected among the n selected flights and there is at least one payment transaction between the airline and the customer related to utilization of the one or more of the m-n unselected flights; and

d. recording in a computer readable data store information defining a selection of ones of said m-n flights for utilization.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein both said data processors are a same processor.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein the inputs and selections are received via an internet.

30. The method of claim 18 wherein said m-n products include at least one higher ranked cabin.

31. The method of claim 30 further including requiring the customer to indicate a price the customer will pay for utilizing the higher ranked cabin.

32. The method of claim 31 wherein the price is modifiable before an indicated notification date.

33. The method of claim 18, further comprising pricing the amount for the payment transaction dynamically.

34. The method of claim 33, wherein the amount for the payment transaction is determined by bidding from customers.

35. The method of claim 18 wherein operating a data processor to receive at least one input comprising one or more related transactions further comprises requiring that as part of said input the customer indicates the price the customer will pay for utilization of at least one of said m-n flights.

36. The method of claim 35 wherein the price is modifiable before an indicated notification date.